Inspiration Photo Friday: Beauty

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The other day there was a beautiful rainbow in front of my house. It was right after rain had stopped, my husband was leaving to go the store and he told me to come outside. It was beautiful. I had to take a picture of it. This was the first time I stepped onto my porch and saw something that pretty so close to home. It made me smile.

Nature never ceases to amaze me. Everywhere you look, there is beauty to be seen. Even after a long storm, the air can turn into amazing colors and uplift your mood so quickly. It helps to remind you of how life has its ups and downs, but there will always be a positive that comes out of it. And yes, harsh winds and a relentless downpour can certainly change your mood for the worst. However, try to see beyond the darkness and there will be a light. And if you keep your head up and look even further, you may even see a rainbow.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Beauty - ©  2012 Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Color in Films: Inception

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Inception is one of those films you will remember forever. Not only do you feel you need to watch it a few times, you actually want to. A genius script, written and directed by Christopher Nolan, tells the in depth story of how the mind can do amazing things. The act of inception, in this case, is to implant an idea in someone’s mind but to do it in such a way that they will never know how it got there and actually feel like they thought of it themselves. A brilliant idea for a film I must say.

The cast was amazing and the effects the film explored were truly mesmerizing. The color palette was somewhat somber and city like. Dark earthy hues such as brown and gray teamed up with a scale of blues, beige, and whites for an all around smart and sharp color scheme. Anything but would not have worked. Bright and saturated choices just wouldn’t have made the proper contribution.

This film had me thrilled and entertained all the way through. Not to mention, giving my brain a workout. Superb production in my eyes. Definitely, one of the best films I had seen in a long time.

Color in Films: Inception

Sound in Color: Baroness – Blue Record

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You will be seeing a lot from Baroness in the sound of color palettes. I can’t get enough of Baizley’s work, and with each album it seems to get better and better. The Blue Record is full of what else but tons of blue hues, all in various tones and shades. The organic line work flows throughout the piece giving the characters life. And the colors blend so well, yet stand out boldly. This is one of my favorite pieces for sure.

Color in Sound: Baroness - Blue Record

Creating a Relaxing Atmosphere

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Some days are harder than others, and when those days leave you feeling worn out and washed up, it’s important to find a soothing, comforting way to relax and unwind. Bubble baths have been an effective remedy for stress for years, but if you’re really looking to shut yourself in and close off your mind, it’s going to take more than a simple bath with bubbles. To help you recuperate after a long day, try these tips to help you turn your bathroom into the ultimate getaway.

Creating a Relaxing Atmosphere
Photo Credit: Brighten the Path

Light for Relaxation
To really allow yourself to drift away in your bubble bath and forget your cares and worries, picking the right lighting is going to be essential. A normal bathroom light is too loud for a soothing environment, and turning off the light would be a tad depressing. To find a happy medium, bring in a lamp with a soft glow or even one that illuminates an entirely different color such as a mellow purple or a comforting black light; either way, you want to pick something that is easy on the eyes but manages to exude a peaceful gleam.

Creating a Relaxing Atmosphere
Photo Credit: Fresh Home

Creating a Relaxing Atmosphere
Photo Credit: Meet Me at the Boutique

Breathe in a Good Dose of Aromatherapy
Next, you’re going to want to pick your scents; half the appeal of a bubble bath is letting your sense of smell do most of the work and giving your sense of sight a break for a moment. It’s natural to want to pick your favorite aroma, but it’s important to keep a couple of things in mind. First, you’re not going to want to pick scents that clash with the bath products you’re using, and you’re also going to want to avoid lighting anything too powerful, as this can cause headaches and ruin the intent of what the bath is supposed to do. Whether it’s incense, oils, or candles (candles could work as your source of light as well), pick ones that are strong enough to absorb but not ones that will dominate all other sensations.

Creating a Relaxing Atmosphere
Photo Credit: Apothecary Wellness

Creating a Relaxing Atmosphere
Photo Credit: Natural Body Guru

Bask in Some Mellow Tunes
Nothing puts the finishing touch on the mood you’re trying to create like the right kind of music, and for a Zen type of ambiance, some light jazz, ambient electronica, or down-tempo oriental music will do just the trick. On the other hand, music is subjective, so just focus on making a playlist that transports you to a blissful mind state as soon as you hit the play button.

Remember the Extras
After you get the lighting, aroma, and music adjusted to your liking, it’s time to think about any extras you’re going to want to bring in. If you’re not looking to shut off your mind completely, a book or magazine is always a great accompaniment to a warm bubble bath, or if you’re in the mood for a beverage, bring in a nice glass of wine or lemonade to indulge in; the point is to insure that you’ve designed your bubble bath to serve as a temporary island where you have everything you need. You want to be able to close your eyes and let your mind wander, daydream to your heart’s desire.

Creating a Relaxing Atmosphere
Photo Credit: Her.ie

Written by Ross Donald